Historic Dates For William Henry Harrison

Guest Author - Tammy Cordani

William Henry Harrison has the distinction of not only being the first U.S. President to die in office but also, at just 30 days, he has the shortest term as President. We take a look at some of the historic dates in the life of William Henry Harrison.

February 9, 1773 - William Henry Harrison was born in Virginia.

August 16, 1791 - Harrison officially enters the U.S. Army after the death of his father.

August 20, 1794 - Harrison took part in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. He served as an aide to General Wayne in the battle which was part of the Northwest Indian War.

August 3, 1795 - William Henry Harrison was one of the signers of the Treaty of Greenville which officially ended the Northwest Indian War.

November 25, 1795 - William married Anna Symmes.

September 29, 1796 - Elizabeth, the first of William and Anna's ten children, was born. She would be followed by John (October 28, 1798), Lucy (September 5, 1800), William (September 13, 1802), John (October 4, 1804), Benjamin (May 5, 1806), Mary (January 22, 1809), Carter (October 26, 1811), Anna (October 28, 1813) and James (1814-1817). John would become the father of Benjamin Harrison who would later become the 23rd President of the United States.

June 28, 1798 - President John Adams appointed William Henry Harrison to the position of Secretary of the Northwest Territory.

March 4, 1799 - Harrison became a member of Congress, representing the Northwest Territory.

April 15, 1800 - The Harrison Land Act is passed by Congress in order to encourage settlement of the Northwest Territory.

May 14, 1800 - Harrison resigned his Congressional seat to become Governor of the Indiana Territory.

September 30, 1809 - Harrison is one of the signers of the Treaty of Fort Wayne which bought over two million acres for settlement.

November 7, 1811 - The infamous Battle of Tippecanoe occurred with Harrison leading U.S. forces against Tecumseh's forces.

October 5, 1813 - Harrison obtained victory in the Battle of the Thames in Ontario, Canada. Seen as part of the War of 1812, Tecumseh was killed during the battle.

October 8, 1816 - Harrison began his tenure as an Ohio Congressman in the House of Representatives.

May 19, 1828 - After failing to secure several positions under President Monroe, Harrison was appointed the first Minister to Colombia by John Quincy Adams. He would be recalled when Andrew Jackson took office.

March 4, 1841 - Harrison is inaugurated as the 9th President of the United States. Harrison soon became ill after delivering the longest inaugural address (at over 8,000 words) in the exceptionally cold weather without a hat or coat.